Respected Hunter Valley nursery Middlebrook Valley Lodge has been expanded to include Wakefield Stud with a busy breeding season expected and both farms now being utilized to accommodate a growing number of mares.
The addition of Wakefield to the MVL farm means 600 acres will be available for use with the plan for dry mares to be agisted at Wakefield and pregnant mares at MVL.
“The owners have made a real statement with the purchase of Wakefield and the team we’ve built, and we’re all looking to the future with great excitement. It’s challenging for the smaller breeder, so we want to help where we can, and the best way to do that is through giving the best care possible to client’s horses, at a reasonable cost,” said MVL Sales and Bloodstock Manager Bernie Kane.
Martin Breuchert has been appointed Manager at Wakefield and comes with 40 years experience gained from working at Arrowfield, Coolmore(Ire & Aus), Darley and Cressfield.
“Martin is the consummate horseman, teacher, and a team member that can cover every role on both farms when needed,” said Kane.
“He was a 2020 Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards winner of the Dedicated to Breeding Award and it is a real coup for us to bring him to Wakefield, which has undergone significant upgrades.”
Improvements have been made to the barn and parade areas at Wakefield, so 2025 yearling drafts can be prepared out of Wakefield if needed (in conjunction with existing MVL facilities) and the paddocks sprayed, soil tested, pasture examined, all with the aim of providing the best possible care for the horses on farm.
The new MVL team will be led by Rachel Ritchie, who has learnt under some of the best mentors in the industry, and has gained her experience at Vinery, Yarraman, Swettenham, and the world-renowned Hagyards in Kentucky.
“Rachel is a specialist in the pre/post-natal care of mares and foals, and that’s her passion- care of the young horse,” said Kane.
“She is a confident leader who will really manage and lead the team from the front, bringing a real hands-on management style to the farm, which will benefit all aspects of the businesses over time.
“Our dedicated team of staff are all working towards the goal of doing what’s best for the horse. In conjunction with agronomists and nutritionists, we have changed and streamlined our feeding regimes and the results have started to come through since we re-assessed that back in March.
“The farm is a happy place at the moment, and feedback from clients and industry participants regarding the purchase of Wakefield and the team we’ve built, has been nothing but positive.”
MVL will continue to have a presence at all the major yearling sales in 2025 and will also have a draft at Inglis R2R Sale this year with the potential for clients to sell under their banner at that sale.
MVL are also investing in quality bloodstock securing a share in exciting young sire Militarize, three lovely young mares in Salem(FR), Chalonne Princess and Geoffrin(GB) as well as three weanlings to pinhook into 2025 yearling sales. They also bought into a colts syndicate further cementing their commitment to the industry through that highly competitive avenue as well.
“We will continue to invest as we believe that gives clients confidence as we’re on the ride with them and are happy to back our farm and team by investing further,” Kane concluded.
“We have secured some big interstate farms that will base their mares on farm this season and we see that as a real vote of confidence in what we’re doing and offering clients.
“We have also leased out a portion of Wakefield and I’m looking forward to welcoming enquiries from clients that wish to place their bloodstock at either farm, for this season and beyond.”
All enquiries for either MVL or Wakefield can be directed to Bernie Kane on 0472 832 199.
